While students were away enjoying their summers, Penn’s campus saw several changes.
Renovations on the Weiss Pavilion, the Penn Law School, the Nursing School’s Fagin Hall, the Quad facade, Sansom West and the high rises are only a few of the summer projects, according to Facilities and Real Estate Services.
Penn Law began its renovation project with the transformation of Pepper Hall.
The original one-story tall building will be succeeded by Golkin Hall — a multi-story, multi-use facility equipped with a new 350-seat auditorium, a state-of-the-art court room, new offices, breakout spaces and even a rooftop garden.
The project is the first but not final expansion for Penn Law, following a series of interior renovations to the rest of the law school campus.
“This major expansion in our academic facilities will ensure our continued role as a leader and innovator in legal education,” Penn Law Dean Michael Fitts said in a statement.
Fagin Hall also underwent construction this summer, including renovations to its second floor to include new classrooms, breakout spaces and offices.
Mike Dausch, executive director of design and construction, confirmed that this is one phase of a series of renovations that will last several years. Many offices and laboratories in other parts of the building have already been renovated.
Penn also concluded construction on the Weiss Pavilion this summer, and its facilities are now open to public use.
Previously parking spaces occupied the space under the bleachers of Franklin Field, but now the Pavilion boasts three stories of fitness facilities. The underground level is reserved for varsity athletes, but the upper levels are accessible to anyone with a new gym membership or an existent Pottruck membership.
In addition, the shelf space of the Pavilion features study lounges and retail stores.
The residential buildings on Penn’s campus have also undergone significant renovations.
Residents of Sansom West will be pleased to know that all rooms have been updated with new flooring and wall finishes — upgrading from dark brown carpeting to a fresh light-grey vinyl tiling. New lighting and furniture have also been installed.
Both Sansom East and Wests’ elevators underwent renovation this summer as well.
The completed renovation on Harrison’s fourth elevator also marked the completion of the multi-year highrise renovations.
Not to be left behind, the historical Quad buildings underwent masonry restoration that include cleaning, repairs and repointing of brick and ornamental stone.
